Deployments in the Navy

[NavyC]

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I know that there are random posts threaded throughout the forum saying that docs in the Navy no longer deploy on ships (I've always known that and knew that signing in with he Navy) but I've just completed ODS and everyone including some of the instructors seemed to talk as if we are deploying on ships and when I would mention otherwise people just didn't believe me. I mean was my class just completely clueless about deployments in the Navy or am I missing something?

 

[IgD]

I know that there are random posts threaded throughout the forum saying that docs in the Navy no longer deploy on ships (I've always known that and knew that signing in with he Navy) but I've just completed ODS and everyone including some of the instructors seemed to talk as if we are deploying on ships and when I would mention otherwise people just didn't believe me. I mean was my class just completely clueless about deployments in the Navy or am I missing something?

You can expect to go on constant deployments at any place or any time with 6 month gaps in between. If you aren't on deployment, you can be expected to be sent TAD somewhere else to backfill someone who is deployed. You can deploy on a ship or not. You can even be pulled to deploy with the Army or Air Force like my friends are doing.

 

[IgD]

I know that there are random posts threaded throughout the forum saying that docs in the Navy no longer deploy on ships...

That's crazy, of course doctors are going to deploy on ships. It's the Navy after all!

 

[Gastrapathy]

There are a few shipboard billets (maybe 40ish tops) and we deploy on the Comfort and Mercy as well. However, most deployments currently are either IAs with the Army (sucky) or traditional greenside (USMC) deployments.

 

[BrickHouseMD]

I believe docs only deploy on larger ships (hospital ship, carrier, maybe some of the amphibs) with the smaller stuff (frigates, destroyers) being staffed by IDCs. Maybe they were referring to small ship deployments?

 

[IlDestriero]

Maybe you'll hit the jackpot and get a GMO assignment on a big boy. While the specialists fly in and out again 6 months later hitting the gym and smoking cigars on the fantail every night, you can have 9 months or more of sick call with 5000 sailors. One of my old buddies got stuck for 9 on a carrier (maybe LHD?), did nothing but work out. He went out big and came back looking like the Hulk. Unbelievably HUGE. 2hrs, twice a day, 9 months. Enjoy your sick call.
Not deploying on ships! Hats off to your recruiter for feeding you that load of BS.

 

[narcusprince]

Iddestrio
Can you comment on your deployment experience as an anesthesia attending. Hours workmschedule??

 

[IlDestriero]

Iddestrio
Can you comment on your deployment experience as an anesthesia attending. Hours workmschedule??

Deployments changed quite a bit when I was in. Things went from splitting a 3 month deployment on a big boy where you got excited about an appy and stopped in HI and Oz to raise some hell, to 9-12 month deployments in very bad places where you became an expert in trauma anesthesia in a couple of days. I knew a couple of guys on the FRSS teams, not my cup of tea. It was all hit and miss, one camp got endless casualties and others had almost none 100 miles away. I was VERY fortunate while I was in. It all boils down to luck, timing and what luck you can create for yourself. One of my friends spent about 9 months in the worst place at the worst time. He'll never be the same. I spent that same year wasting my skills on healthy marines. We did trim some excess foreskin though, and some routine ortho trauma, etc.
It's all luck, we could have easily switched places. Instead of collecting single malt scotch I could be guzzling Jack and coke to dull the haunting memories and the pain of a nasty divorce. The few stories he did share with me were pretty grim. We lost a lot of guys and for every one we lost, 10 to 20 were saved. Jobs at the VA are going to be secure for some time. I also got out at a good time, things were still pretty hot. I was expecting another stop loss. I imagine things are quite different now. I've been out for several years so I can't speculate what the operational tempo is like these days. Maybe they make you cover sick call. I do know that the split ship deployments are gone for good and the spectre of tri-service deployments is real. One Navy friend spent about 2 months away on the east coast preparing for a 12 month deployment with the Army (14 months!). At the same time another guy checked his box on a <4 month humanitarian mission. Luck.
There are some attendings in now who post here who could give you a better picture of what to expect when you finish. If they haven't deployed recently, their buddies have.
Good luck.

 

[Jet915]

Iddestrio
Can you comment on your deployment experience as an anesthesia attending. Hours workmschedule??

Although I'm not an anesthesiologist yet, I worked w/some Navy anesthesiologists at the Role III Hospital at Camp Bastion and they were working 4 days on, 1 day off. Usually two of the anesthesiologists were taking trauma and two were assigned routine cases. If lots of trauma came in (which there are now), the two routine would also do traumas. If there was a mass casualty event, the 5th doc would be called in. It was generally a waiting game, but traumas can come in at anytime.

 

[pgg]

I know that there are random posts threaded throughout the forum saying that docs in the Navy no longer deploy on ships (I've always known that and knew that signing in with he Navy) but I've just completed ODS and everyone including some of the instructors seemed to talk as if we are deploying on ships and when I would mention otherwise people just didn't believe me. I mean was my class just completely clueless about deployments in the Navy or am I missing something?

From what I can tell, if a Navy doc specifically wants to avoid deploying on a ship, there are plenty of dirt-based deployment slots available.


At least in anesthesia, there seems to be a heavy bias toward sending pediatric-trained guys on the short humanitarian cruises, which makes perfect sense, given the anticipated patient distribution.

I would guess that in general, across all specialties, the few ship deployments are regarded as far more desirable than the many dirt deployments. As a result, all else being equal, senior people are going to fall into the ship slots, so I would not expect to do my first or only deployment on a ship if I was a new Navy join.


So yeah, the Navy has ships, doctors deploy on them, but you probably won't.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

I know that there are random posts threaded throughout the forum saying that docs in the Navy no longer deploy on ships (I've always known that and knew that signing in with he Navy) but I've just completed ODS and everyone including some of the instructors seemed to talk as if we are deploying on ships and when I would mention otherwise people just didn't believe me. I mean was my class just completely clueless about deployments in the Navy or am I missing something?

1. Navy docs deploy on ships. In fact, if you are FP or IM you may be permanently (e.g., 3yrs) assigned as a SMO to a carrier or gator.
2. If you have the urge to deploy on a small boy (e.g., FFG, DDG, or CG) there are those opportunities too. I forget what it was called (fleet surgical team?), but a surgeon friend of mine deployed 3mo on a CG as part of a CJTF.
3. If you want close to the action, you can do that to. Forward surgical teams have ortho, gen surg, anesthesia, and IM. My understanding is they get to deploy fairly far forward to all the wonderful AORs where a surgeon might be needed.
4. If you want to do humanitarian stuff, you can do that too. I don't know anyone who volunteered to go to Haiti that was turned down.
5. If you want to be in the Army, you can do that. I don't know how many, but the Navy has many medical personnel deployed as IAs in support of the Army.
6. If you want to be (like) a Marine, you can do that.

So their are a plethora of opportunities are out there on ships and off. the problem is many docs try to get out of them for various reasons (family, tired from past deployments, fear, etc.). You will PROBABLY be made to do a deployment(s) if you stay in long enough (and want to get promoted).

 

[MSS07]

1. Navy docs deploy on ships. In fact, if you are FP or IM you may be permanently (e.g., 3yrs) assigned as a SMO to a carrier or gator.
2. If you have the urge to deploy on a small boy (e.g., FFG, DDG, or CG) there are those opportunities too. I forget what it was called (fleet surgical team?), but a surgeon friend of mine deployed 3mo on a CG as part of a CJTF.
3. If you want close to the action, you can do that to. Forward surgical teams have ortho, gen surg, anesthesia, and IM. My understanding is they get to deploy fairly far forward to all the wonderful AORs where a surgeon might be needed.
4. If you want to do humanitarian stuff, you can do that too. I don't know anyone who volunteered to go to Haiti that was turned down.
5. If you want to be in the Army, you can do that. I don't know how many, but the Navy has many medical personnel deployed as IAs in support of the Army.
6. If you want to be (like) a Marine, you can do that.

So their are a plethora of opportunities are out there on ships and off. the problem is many docs try to get out of them for various reasons (family, tired from past deployments, fear, etc.). You will PROBABLY be made to do a deployment(s) if you stay in long enough (and want to get promoted).

I understand that there are tons of opportunities for different types of deployments, so how much flexibility do I have in choosing deployments. Can I ask someone what the upcoming deployments are and ask to be signed up for one.

 

[MSS07]

From what I can tell, if a Navy doc specifically wants to avoid deploying on a ship, there are plenty of dirt-based deployment slots available.


At least in anesthesia, there seems to be a heavy bias toward sending pediatric-trained guys on the short humanitarian cruises, which makes perfect sense, given the anticipated patient distribution.

I would guess that in general, across all specialties, the few ship deployments are regarded as far more desirable than the many dirt deployments. As a result, all else being equal, senior people are going to fall into the ship slots, so I would not expect to do my first or only deployment on a ship if I was a new Navy join.


So yeah, the Navy has ships, doctors deploy on them, but you probably won't.

Yes this is what I've been told, that it was hard to get a ship deployment.

 

[atheon86]

Although I'm not an anesthesiologist yet, I worked w/some Navy anesthesiologists at the Role III Hospital at Camp Bastion and they were working 4 days on, 1 day off. Usually two of the anesthesiologists were taking trauma and two were assigned routine cases. If lots of trauma came in (which there are now), the two routine would also do traumas. If there was a mass casualty event, the 5th doc would be called in. It was generally a waiting game, but traumas can come in at anytime.

Ooh, I was treated in Camp Bastion a couple years ago. I vividly remember sweating profusely for 2 hours waiting to go into the OR. That's midsummer/broken ac in Afghanistan for ya!

 

[NavyC]

actually i wasn't told by recruiters I was told by docs that I was more likely to not deploy on ships.

 

[IlDestriero]

actually i wasn't told by recruiters I was told by docs that I was more likely to not deploy on ships.

Well that's not what you said earlier.

I know that there are random posts threaded throughout the forum saying that docs in the Navy no longer deploy on ships (I've always known that and knew that signing in with he Navy) but I've just completed ODS and everyone including some of the instructors seemed to talk as if we are deploying on ships and when I would mention otherwise people just didn't believe me. I mean was my class just completely clueless about deployments in the Navy or am I missing something?

No Navy physician would tell you that you would not deploy on a ship as they are all painfully aware that you could as a both a GMO and again later as staff, either assigned to a ship or sent on with a team to augment the existing shipboard department.

MSS07, you can discuss your desire for specific GMO assignments with your detailer during your intern year. He/She assigns all the GMO billets and is aware of what is expected to open up in any given year. They will not guarantee you anything, but they will take down everyone's preferences and try their best. You will probably not get what you want (ie. a specific ship or marine unit, but you would likely get a ship or a marine billet, etc) As staff, you can discuss your options with your specialty advisor and your department head. They work with the detailer to fill deployment positions as they come up. The staff positions are a bit more hit and miss as they may not offer many (any) choices. For example, your DH may be told to supply 2 anesthesiologists and a CRNA for a deployment in a couple of months. If you're up to go, you're likely to go. It doesn't matter that you expressed interest in a Mercy/Comfort humanitarian mission and the assignment is an army spot in Iraq. Someone has to go and the DH is not going to hold on to you if you're up, waiting for a spot that may or may not come up in the future. There is room for some shady dealings here. Make sure your DH thinks that you walk on water. If you're a superstar he may pick you for the 3 month "special" mission and send the pain in the ass deadbeat complainer to the 12 month army deployment.😉

 

[MSS07]

Well that's not what you said earlier.

No Navy physician would tell you that you would not deploy on a ship as they are all painfully aware that you could as a both a GMO and again later as staff, either assigned to a ship or sent on with a team to augment the existing shipboard department.

MSS07, you can discuss your desire for specific GMO assignments with your detailer during your intern year. He/She assigns all the GMO billets and is aware of what is expected to open up in any given year. They will not guarantee you anything, but they will take down everyone's preferences and try their best. You will probably not get what you want (ie. a specific ship or marine unit, but you would likely get a ship or a marine billet, etc) As staff, you can discuss your options with your specialty advisor and your department head. They work with the detailer to fill deployment positions as they come up. The staff positions are a bit more hit and miss as they may not offer many (any) choices. For example, your DH may be told to supply 2 anesthesiologists and a CRNA for a deployment in a couple of months. If you're up to go, you're likely to go. It doesn't matter that you expressed interest in a Mercy/Comfort humanitarian mission and the assignment is an army spot in Iraq. Someone has to go and the DH is not going to hold on to you if you're up, waiting for a spot that may or may not come up in the future. There is room for some shady dealings here. Make sure your DH thinks that you walk on water. If you're a superstar he may pick you for the 3 month "special" mission and send the pain in the ass deadbeat complainer to the 12 month army deployment.😉

Thanks for the response.

 

[NavyC]

Well that's not what you said earlier.

No Navy physician would tell you that you would not deploy on a ship as they are all painfully aware that you could as a both a GMO and again later as staff, either assigned to a ship or sent on with a team to augment the existing shipboard department.

Fine, I guess I should have said that I was under the impression that because it was so unlikely that Junior officers deployed on ships that they just didn't deploy on ships at all. I must have interpreted someone told me wrong. in any case I thought this was some sort of a new policy but I guess what I was told conflicts with reality, I am finding that this is happening a lot lately 🙂

Well thanks for the advise ya'll now I know what to expect when I'm done with med school and residency 🙂

 

[bobbyseal]

\
5. If you want to be in the Army, you can do that. I don't know how many, but the Navy has many medical personnel deployed as IAs in support of the Army.

I think that would irritate me if I was in the Navy and got gobbled up by the Army to be a GMO for them. Seriously! Can't the Army obtain enough doctors of its own and not have to snatch Navy physicians to be GMOs?

 

[Jet915]

I think that would irritate me if I was in the Navy and got gobbled up by the Army to be a GMO for them. Seriously! Can't the Army obtain enough doctors of its own and not have to snatch Navy physicians to be GMOs?

Believe me, it is irritating. I'm still not sure why we cowtow to the needs of the Army. We supply them w/GMOs so their docs can go straight through residency. It's messed up, after flight school, a newly designated FLIGHT doc in my class got IA'd to the Army for a ground unit in Afghanistan. What a total waste...

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Believe me, it is irritating. I'm still not sure why we cowtow to the needs of the Army. We supply them w/GMOs so their docs can go straight through residency. It's messed up, after flight school, a newly designated FLIGHT doc in my class got IA'd to the Army for a ground unit in Afghanistan. What a total waste...

It's an Army world right now, just like it was an Air Force world in the 90's. It will probably take a first class Navy/Air Force a*s whoopin' of DPRK or the Islamic Republic to swing the pendulum the other way.